Soft-sided container with hanging suspension

ABSTRACT

A soft-side container is sized to fit inside larger luggage such as a suitcase. It has a peripheral zipper that aids in compressing the contents of the container when it is loaded, such as with clothing, thereby tending to take less space in the suitcase. It also has a suspension system permitting the container to be hung from a hanger rod, or from another container of the same type, in a cascade of shelves. To aid in this function, the container has an expanding side wall, and also a form-preserving spreader that tends to cause the container to hold itself in a generally planar configuration to function more effectively as a shelf.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/069,946, filed Oct. 14, 2020, and a continuation-in-part ofPCT International Application No. PCT/CA2020/051374, filed Oct. 14,2020, the specifications and drawings thereof being incorporated intheir entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of portable soft-sided containers orbags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When travelling, there may not always be the opportunity to hang uppersonal items. Accordingly, transportable shelving may help. It mayalso help to be able to compress items of personal clothing to aid inpacking in an orderly manner that is economical in its use of space, andit may be helpful to be able to separate them in an organized manner foruse in places where there may be limited means for organizing personal,or other, items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the present invention there is a soft-sided containerthat is deployable in a first configuration in which the foldingcontainer bag defines a first interior volume and a second configurationin which it defines a second interior volume, the second interior volumebeing reduced relative to the first interior volume, and that hasprovision for hanging from ether other objects or from soft-sidedcontainers of like nature.

In an aspect of the invention there is a soft-sided containment envelopehaving a first member, a second member, and a peripheral sidewallextending between the first member and the second member. The firstmember, second member and peripheral sidewall co-operate to define aninternal chamber into which to introduce objects. The soft-sidedcontainment envelope includes a spreader. The first member has a wallmovable between a closed position and an open position to govern accessto the chamber. There is a first suspender and a second suspender. Thefirst suspender and the second suspender are mounted to the soft-sidedcontainment envelope. The first and second suspenders are opposed onopposite sides of the chamber. The first and second suspenders aremovable between respective stored and deployed positions. In therespective deployed positions, the first and second suspenders areco-operable to suspend the soft-sided containment envelope in a hangingposition. The soft-sided-containment envelope has at least a firstanchor point and a second anchor point at which removably to mountcorresponding first and second hangers of respective first and secondsuspenders of a second such soft-sided container to form a cascade ofthe soft-sided containers.

In another feature, the peripheral sidewall has an upper margin and alower margin, and the spreader is a stiffener mounted to the uppermargin of the peripheral wall. In a further feature, the spreader is aframe mounted inside the sidewall and extends about the upper margin. Inanother feature the spreader includes a reinforcement rod extendingabout the periphery. In still another feature, the container isrectangular in plan view. In a further additional feature, theperipheral side wall has a pair of first and second long sides and apair of first and second short sides that correspond to the rectangularcontainer in plan view. The first and second suspenders are mounted tothe first and second short sides of the peripheral sidewall. In anotherfeature, at least one of the first and second suspenders has splayedconnection to the peripheral sidewall. In another feature, at least afirst and a second soft-sided container are combined as a set, thesecond soft-sided container being hangable from the first soft-sidedcontainer. In still another feature, at least a first and a secondsoft-sided container are combined as a set, the second soft-sidedcontainer being nestable within the first soft-sided container. In yetanother feature, the container is movable between a first mode and asecond mode, the first mode being an expanded mode and the second modebeing a contracted mode. In another feature, the peripheral sidewall isaxially collapsible. In still another feature, the peripheral sidewallhas a tracked fastener, the tracked fastener extends peripherally aboutthe sidewall. The tracked fastener is movable from a first position inwhich the peripheral sidewall is axially fore-shortened, to a secondposition in which the peripheral sidewall is axially expanded.

In another aspect, there is a soft-sided container. It has a soft-sidedcontainment envelope that has a first panel and a second panel. Thefirst panel is co-operable with the second panel. They are movablebetween an open position and a closed position relative to each other.There is a first receptacle movably mounted to the first panel. There isa second receptacle movably mounted to the second panel. The firstreceptacle and the second receptacle are contained between the firstpanel and the second panel when the first panel and the second panel arein the closed position. There is a suspension that is mounted to thefirst and second panels and to the first and second receptacles. Thesuspension has a set of hangers by which to mount the soft-sided toinsulated container to structure from which it can hang. When the firstand second panels are in the open position, the suspension supports thefirst receptacle and the second receptacle in spaced apart tieredrelationship to each other.

In a feature of that aspect, the first and second panels are co-operablewith a closure member to compress the first and second receptacles whenthe first and second panels are in the closed position. In anotherfeature, at least one of the first and second receptacles includes aspreader operable to urge the respective receptacle to an expandedcondition.

In another feature, the first panel and the second panel are joined by ahinge. The hangers of the suspension are mounted to the first panel. Thefirst receptacle is pivotally connected to the first panel. Thesuspension extends between the first panel and the first receptacle. Thesuspension limits pivotal movement of the first receptacle relative tothe first panel. The second receptacle is pivotally connected to thesecond panel. The suspension extends between the first receptacle andthe second receptacle, and governs spacing between the first and secondreceptacles. When the container is in the open positon and the hangershave been hung up, the first receptacle and the second receptacle defineshelves, one above the other.

In a further feature, the first panel has a distal margin distant fromthe hinge. The hangers include a first hanger and a second hanger. Thefirst and second hangers are mounted to the distal margin of the firstpanel. The first receptacle is pivotally connected to the first paneladjacent to the hinge, and has a portion distant from the hinge. Thesecond receptacle is pivotally connected to the second panel at alocation of the second panel distant from the hinge. The secondreceptacle has a portion distant from the second panel when the secondreceptacle has pivoted away from the second panel. The suspensionincludes first and second portions, the first and second portions beingspaced apart from each other. The first and second members of thesuspension are straps that extend from the distal margin of the firstpanel to the portion of the first receptacle distant from the hinge. Thesuspension includes third and fourth portions, the third and fourthportions being spaced apart from each other. The third and fourthportions are straps that extend from the distal margin of the firstreceptacle to the distal portion of the second receptacle. In a furtherfeature, at least one of the first and second receptacles has areleasable securement by which the at least one of the first and secondreceptacles is secured in a closed position thereof relative to the oneof aid first and second panels to which the at least one of the firstand second receptacles is mounted. In still another feature, at leastone of the first and second panels has a door therein, the door beingmovable between closed and open positions to yield access to arespective one of the first and second receptacles that is mounted tothat one of the first and second panels respectively.

The features of the aspects of the invention may be mixed and matched asappropriate without need for multiplication and repetition of allpossible permutations and combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and features of the invention may be morereadily understood with the aid of the illustrative Figures below,showing an example, or examples, embodying the various aspects andfeatures of the invention, provided by way of illustration, and inwhich:

FIG. 1a shows a perspective view from in front and to one side of anexample embodiment of a collapsible soft-sided container in an open andfully expanded condition or first configuration;

FIG. 1b shows a corresponding perspective view of the soft-sidedcontainer of FIG. 1a in a closed and expanded condition, position, orsecond configuration;

FIG. 1c shows a perspective view from in front, to one side, and above,of the soft-sided container of FIG. 1a in a closed and contracted, orcompressed, condition, position, or configuration;

FIG. 1d shows a perspective view of a hanging cascade of collapsiblesoft-sided containers of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2a shows a top plan view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 1a asclosed;

FIG. 2b shows a bottom plan view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 2c shows a right-hand side or end view of the soft-sided containerassembly of FIG. 2a , as open, the right and left hand end views beingthe same but of opposite hand;

FIG. 2d shows a front side view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 2aas closed;

FIG. 2e is a rear view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 2 d;

FIG. 2f shows a rear view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 2e ascollapsed;

FIG. 2g shows a left-hand end side view of the soft-sided container ofFIG. 2d , the right hand end view being the same but of opposite hand;

FIG. 2h is a left-hand end view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 2gas collapsed;

FIG. 3a shows an alternate embodiment of soft-sided container to that ofFIG. 1a in an open condition; and

FIG. 3b shows the soft-sided container of FIG. 3a in a closed, expandedcondition;

FIG. 4 is an isometric general assembly view, as deployed, of analternate soft-sided container to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5a is an isometric view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 4 asclosed;

FIG. 5b is an isometric view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 5a withcompression member released and expanded;

FIG. 5c is an isometric view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 5b withhalves unfolded to lie flat;

FIG. 5d is a perspective view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 5c ,flipped over;

FIG. 5e is a perspective view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 5dwith its storage compartment external access flaps opened;

FIG. 5f shows a stiffener panel that fits within either compartment;

FIG. 6a is a top view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 5b as laidflat;

FIG. 6b is a rear side view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 6a ascompressed;

FIG. 6c is a rear side view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 6b asreleased;

FIG. 6d is a lateral side view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 6 c;

FIG. 6e is a lateral side view of the soft-sided container of FIG. 6d aslaid flat;

FIG. 7a is a lateral side view of the container of FIG. 6e as hangingvertically;

FIG. 7b is a lateral side view of the container assembly of FIG. 7a withinternal compartments released to move to their deployed shelvingarrangement;

FIG. 7c is a bottom view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 b;

FIG. 7d is a rear view of the container assembly of FIG. 7a as hanging;and

FIG. 7e is a front view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 b;

FIG. 8a shows a side view of an alternate embodiment to that of FIG. 2c;

FIG. 8b shows a front view of the container of FIG. 8 a;

FIG. 8c shows a front view of a further alternate container to that ofFIG. 8a ; and

FIG. 8d shows a side view of an alternate embodiment to that of FIG. 8a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, areprovided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, ofparticular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. Theseexamples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not oflimitation, of those principles and of the invention. In thedescription, like parts are marked throughout the specification and thedrawings with the same respective reference numerals.

For the purposes of this description, it may be that a Cartesian frameof reference may be employed. In such a frame of reference, the long, orlargest, dimension of an object may be considered to extend in thedirection of the x-axis, the base of the article, where substantiallyplanar, may be considered to extend in an x-y plane, and the height ofthe article may be measured in the vertical, or z-direction. In othercontexts, the z-direction may be the through thickness of asubstantially planar panel where the major dimensions lie in the x- andy-directions. The largest container panels herein may be designatedarbitrarily as either the front and rear sides or top and bottom sides,faces, or portions of the container. Similarly, the closure member, oropening is arbitrarily designated as being at the top, and the basepanel is designated as being at the bottom, as these terms may beappropriate for the customary orientation in which the objects mayusually be found, sold, or employed, notwithstanding that the objectsmay be picked up and placed on one side or another from time to time atthe user's choice.

The drawings are substantially to scale, except as otherwise noted, asin instances in which proportions may have been exaggerated in ordermore clearly to depict certain features. In the context of the presentdescription, the x and z dimensions of length and height of the majorpanels of the containers are approximately in proportion. However,inasmuch as the description refers to webs, layers and skins, that aremay be difficult to see when drawn to scale in side view, thethrough-thickness dimensions in the y-direction may be exaggerated toaid understanding.

Similarly, this description may tend to distinguish hard shellcontainers from soft-sided containers. In the jargon of the trade, asoft-sided container is one that does not have a largely rigid, highdensity exoskeleton. An example of a container having a hard exoskeletonis one having a molded external shell, e.g., of ABS or polyethylene, orother common types of molded plastic. Rather, a soft-sided container maytend not to be substantially rigid, but may rather have a skin that isflexible, or crushable, or sometimes foldable. By way of an example,which is not intended to be exhaustive, comprehensive, exclusive orlimiting, a soft-sided container may have an outer skin and an internalskin, both the internal and external skins being of some kind ofwebbing, be it a woven fabric, a nylon sheet, or some other membrane. Insome examples, a soft-sided container may still be a soft-sidedcontainer where, as described herein, it may include a substantiallyrigid liner, or may include one or more battens or stiffeners, orpuncture resistant members (which may be of a relatively hard plastic)concealed within the soft sided wall structure more generally, but wherethe outside of the assembly is predominantly of soft-sided panels. Theterm “soft-sided” is intended to have the ordinary and customary meaningof the term as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art in theindustry, and as used herein.

In FIGS. 1a , 1 b, and 1 c there is a container 20. Container 20 is asoft-sided container. Container 20 may be one of a set of containers.Container 20 may be sized to fit within another container, which may bea larger container that is either soft-sided or hard-sided. In one use,container 20 may be sized to fit within a piece of luggage such as maytypically be used to carry clothing or other personal effects when aperson is travelling. Soft-side container 20 may be of a size when seenin plan-form footprint to fit within the plan form of a suitcase orcorresponding size, or may fit as one of a pair of such soft-sidedcontainers that fit side-by-side within such a suitcase, or one atopanother, and so on.

Soft-sided container 20 has a first wall 22, which may also be termedthe bottom wall; a second wall 24, which may also be termed the topwall; and a third wall 26, which may also be termed the side wall. Firstwall 22 and second wall 24 may each be substantially planar, and may bea generally planar web or skin. In each case, the planar web or skin hasa periphery, or peripheral edge. First wall 22 and second wall 24 do notneed to be the same size, and they do not need to be made of the samematerial. However, it may be convenient that they should be the samesize, and they may be of the same material. That material may be anylon™, and it may in some instances be a woven nylon™. First wall 24and second wall 26 need not be rectangular in plan view, but could be ofany suitable shape, whether round, or oval, or polygonal, as may be.However, in the context of suitcases, and of luggage generally, it isconvenient for soft-sided container 20 to be rectangular in plan view,with somewhat radiused corners.

Third wall 26 extends between, and joins, first wall 22 and second wall24 such that first wall 22, second wall 24 and third wall 26 co-operateto form a containment shell having an internal space or volumeidentified as chamber 40, located therewithin. That is, third wall 26has a first margin 28 joined to the rectangular peripheral edge of thebottom wall, i.e., first wall 22. Third wall 26 has a second margin 30that is mated with the peripheral edge of the top wall, i.e., secondwall 24. In use, third wall 26 extends upstandingly away from first wall22, generally upright, approximately or actually perpendicular thereto.Similarly, third wall 26 extends downwardly from second wall 24.Although first wall 22 and second wall 24 need not be parallel, it isconvenient that they be parallel, at least nominally. Of course, in use,when filled with clothing or other objects, container 20 may be somewhatlumpy rather than perfectly planar or perpendicular, and so on. In anycase, first wall 22 and second wall 24 are nominally spaced apart,planar, and parallel.

Third wall 26 frames a rectangle, as previously discussed. Accordinglyit has a pair of spaced apart and mutually opposed first and second longsides 32, 34 and a pair of spaced apart and mutually opposed first andsecond short sides 36, 38. The respective long and short sides merge atradiused corners. Second wall 24 has corresponding first, second, thirdand fourth margins or portions 42, 44, 46, and 48 that mate with sides32, 34, 36 and 38. In the example shown there is a closure 50 in theform of a tracked fastener, e.g., a zipper, 52 that extends around threeof the four margin portions, leaving the remaining margin portion to beconnected at a hinge, 58. In the example shown the hinge runs along theupper margin of the rear portion of third wall 26, joining side 34 toedge or margin 44. Second wall 24 consequently forms or includes, or is,the lid 54 of container 20, and is movable between open and closedpositions to govern entry or egress of objects into and out of internalchamber 40. The closure is secured by closing zipper 52, and opened byreleasing zipper 52.

One or other, or both, of the bottom wall, i.e., first wall 22 and thetop wall or lid, i.e., second wall 24, may, optionally, include astiffener 56 to make it less floppy. The stiffener may be in the natureof a thin, relatively flexible sheet of plastic or board stock, or foam.Finally, the open edge of container 20 has first and second handles 68mounted on the free edges of first wall 22 and second wall 24, distantfrom the hinge.

Soft-sided container 20 is movable between an extended or deployedposition, as in FIG. 1a or FIG. 1 b, and a retracted or collapsedposition, as seen in FIGS. 1c, 2f and 2h . To that end soft-sidedcontainer 20 has a compressor, 60. Compressor 60 may have, and in theembodiment illustrated does have, the form of a zipper 62 that has afirst set of teeth 64 mounted peripherally about the upper margin of thesidewall, third wall 26, and a second set of teeth 66 mountedperipherally to the lower margin of the side-wall, or third wall 26.When the zipper 62 is released, third wall 26 is able to expand to hangdownward as shown in FIGS. 1b and 1d . When zipper 62 is teeth 64 and 66engage, thereby drawing the upper and lower margins together. This canbe expressed as reefing, or gathering, the web of side-wall 26 to movesoft-sided container 20 from the extended position to the retractedposition, and moving second wall 24 from its distant position to itsproximate position relative to first wall 22. As may be understood, whensoft-sided container 20 is open and expanded, it can be loaded withobjects. In the travel context those objects may be relatively soft andcompressible objects such as clothing. When filled with clothing, lid 50can be closed and secured by closing the securement defined by zipper52. Subsequent movement of zipper car 63 of zipper 62 to close thezipper draws the upper rim closer to the lower rim, and tends tocompress the objects in chamber 40. In a travel context this tends toreduce the volume occupied by the clothing. Of course, after the trip iscomplete, and soft-sided container 20 is empty, that same process canalso be used when chamber 40 is entirely empty to make the assembly morecompact for storage. It is understood that when zipper 62 is closed, oneor the other or both of first wall 22 and second wall 24 may remainprecisely planar, but rather may conform to the shape of the contentsbeing compressed therebetween, and may be somewhat lumpy. However, areduction in volume of chamber 40 will occur nonetheless.

Soft-sided container 20 has a suspension 70. Suspension 70 may have, andin the embodiment shown does have, the form of a co-operating pair offirst and second suspenders 72, 74. Although they need not be the same,and need not have the same hanging altitude, it is convenient thatsuspenders 72, 74 be the same. Suspenders 72, 74 are mounted on oppositesides of soft-sided container 20.

Each of suspenders 72, 74 may have, and in the embodiment described doeshave, the form of a hanger 80. Hanger 80 has a first member 76 and asecond member 78. First member 76 is a linking member. Second member 78is an engagement member by which to secure hanger 80 to an object fromwhich soft-sided container 20 hangs. In operation, the object may be,and in the example illustrated is, a hanger rod 94, such as might befound in a hotel closet. Second member 78 may be, and in the embodimentillustrated is, a hook 82. First member 76 forms a link between hook 82and the body of soft-sided container 20 more generally. It could havethe form of a filament such as a cable or strap. Alternatively, and asin the embodiment illustrated, first member 76 may have the form of aload distributer or divider that has a widened base that divides thehanging load carried by hook 82 into distributed portions transmitted toor from the body of container 20. To that end, second member 78 may havethe form of a triangular flap having a base sewn to the upstandingside-wall of third member 26, and a connection or eyelet at the altitudeat which hook 82 is mounted. In such an arrangement the load isdistributed evenly through the base of the flap. In the embodimentillustrated second member 78 has the form of a strap 84 having first andsecond legs 86, 88. Strap 84 is fed through the bottom eyelet of hook82. Legs 86, 88 are splayed to separate and reach distantly spaced-apartpoints on third wall 26. In the embodiment illustrated the spacingexceeds half the length of the side portion of third wall 26 to whichthe base end of legs 86, 88 are mounted. In the embodiment illustratedthe spacing is substantially the same as the length of that side. In theembodiment shown, second member 78 is mounted on the short side of therectangle.

Soft-sided container 20 has a spreader 90. Spreader 90 may be, and inthe embodiment shown is, mounted to the upper margin of third wall 26.Spreader 90 functions to tend to cause soft-sided container 20 tomaintain its nominal plan form shape. That is, when used as deployed inthe hanging configuration as in FIG. 1d , it is helpful for container 20to present an open shelf for ease of placing and removing objectstherein. To that end spreader 90 is a rigid frame or rigid former thattends to holds its shape, and therefore tends to hold the shape of thirdwall 26. In the embodiment shown spreader 90 has the form of areinforcing rod 92 sewn into the upper margin of third wall 26.Alternatively or additionally, reinforcement rod (or a secondreinforcement rod) 92 can also be sewn into the lower margin.

Soft sided container 20 has a set of load transfer interfaces 96, whichmay have the form of hard-eyes, or rings, or anchors, or loops such asmay be identified as retainers 98. Retainers 98 are sized to receive,and matingly to engage, hooks 82 of another container 20 hanginglymounted therefrom. Retainers 98 can be mounted from third wall 26. Thesewn-in root of retainer 98 can be anchored to rod 92.

As may be noted, the roots of suspenders 72, 74 are mounted withincontainer 20, such that they are accessible when the lid is open. Asmight also be noted, when container 20 is being prepared for travelsuspenders 72, 74 can be laid across the inside of container 20 toengage each other to function as clothes retainers. As seen in FIG. 1d ,container 20 can be hung up in either the extended or contractedposition of third wall 26. When it is contracted, container 20 functionsas a substantially flat shelf.

In FIGS. 3a and 3b there is an alternate form of soft-sided container100 that is substantially the same as soft-sided container 20. Container100 differs from container 20 in that it has a different hangerarrangement. In this case, suspension 102 includes first and secondsuspenders 104, 106 that are mounted to third wall 26 as before.However, strap 108 is longer and has a pair of hooks 110, 112. Each ofhooks 110, 112 could be mounted in a fixed location on strap 108, orcould be mounted on a separate strap. However, as shown in FIG. 3a hooks110, 112 are slidable along strap 108.

As may also be noted, whereas container 20 is shown with a singlekeeper, or retainer, 98, container may have a single, central retainer114, or, alternatively, a pair of spaced apart retainers 116 and 118, orall three of retainers 114, 116 and 118. Hooks 110, 112 may beswivelled, as illustrated. They can be slid along strap 108 to a singlelocation to hang on a single rod, such as rod 94. Alternatively, hooks110, 112 and hang from a single central retainer 114 of a superiorcontainer 100, yielding a triangular suspender as for container 20. Inthe further alternative, hooks 110, 112 and be separated to engageseparate lifting or securement points, which may be retainers 116, 118of another container 100 that hangs above it. When both suspenders 104,106 are engaged, it yields a four point suspension, the slidingengagement of the hooks on the strap permitting load equalisation. Inany of these embodiments, the combination of loops and hooks that definea suspension engagement interface can be replaced by other types ofmating engagement interfaces of first and second mating parts. Forexample, the loop-and-hook interface could be replaced by releasablemale and female clips or buckles.

In the case of either container 20 or container 100, they may beprovided in sets of varying sizes, either for the purpose of fittingwithin larger luggage or suitcase containers, or for the purpose ofbeing able to nest one-within-another, whether for storage of for otherreasons.

Another, perhaps more complex soft-sided container assembly 120 is shownin the series of views of FIGS. 4, 5 a-5 f; 6 a-6 e, and 7 a-7 e. Ingeneral, soft-sided container assembly 120 has a main casing, orexterior casing, or exterior envelope, however it may be named,identified as main body 122. It also has a first compartment wallstructure 124 and a second compartment wall structure 126. Whentravelling, first and second compartment wall structures 124 and 126 areinternal compartments contained within main body 122. Soft-sidedcontainer assembly 120 also includes a carrying handle 128 and asuspension system, or suspension assembly, identified generally assuspension 130.

Main body 122 has a wall structure 132 that defines a containmentenvelope. Wall structure 132 includes a first panel 134 and a secondpanel 136. In the general sense, first panel 134 and second panel 136could be of different shapes and sizes, provided that they co-operate informing main body 122. As before, first panel 134 and second panel 136may be considered to be membranes, or webs, such as may be made of afabric, such as a woven fabric. One or both of them may have,optionally, a stiffener or batten sewn thereto. Alternatively, they mayhave a spreader 138 attached thereto. In the embodiment shown, spreader138 is, as above, a resilient rod 92 sewn to, or sewn into, the panel,the space for the rod conforming to the footprint of the respective oneof compartment wall structures 124 and 126 that is mountable to thatpanel, be it first panel 134 or second panel 136. The resiliency of rod92 tends to cause first panel 134 or second panel 136, as the case maybe, to maintain its generally rectangular shape.

While they could be round, hexagonal, octagonal, or some other shape, itis convenient that they be four-sided and either square or rectangularin plan view. In the example shown they are rectangular with radiusedcorners. Furthermore, although they need not be the same, it isconvenient that panels 134 and 136 be the same. The rectangles have apair of long sides and a pair of short sides. Along respective ones ofthe long sides there is a hinge 140. Hinge 140 may be referred to as themain hinge of container assembly 120. It may have the form of a fabrichinge, as illustrated. It joins first panel 134 to second panel 136. Atracked closure 142 runs around the periphery of main body 122. Trackedclosure 142 may have, and in the embodiment illustrated does have, theform of a zipper having a first set of teeth 144 extending around theperipheral edge of first panel 134 and a second set of zipper teeth 146running around the peripheral edge of second panel 136. The root oftracked closure 142 is mounted to the outside of the fabric of hinge140. When tracked closure 142 is open, panels 134 and 136 can be pivotedopen on hinge 140 to the position seen in FIG. 5c . When tracked closure142 is moved from the open position to the closed position by beingdrawn around the periphery, it pulls panels 134 and 136 together, and tothe extent that the overhang lip or margin 148 is less than the fullyexpanded thickness of first and second compartment wall structures 124and 126, the closing action tends to compress them, from the fullyexpanded position or condition seen in FIG. 5b , to yield the compact,closed form seen in FIG. 5a . Notably, when closed, hinge 140 isconcealed within tracked closure 142, as in FIG. 5 a.

Either or both of panels 134 and 136 may have an opening 152 that isopened or closed by an external access panel, or flap, such as closuremember 150. Closure member 150 is secured to panel 134 (or 136, as maybe) at a hinge 154. In the example shown, hinge 154 is located along themost distant margin of panel 134 (or 136) from hinge 140. Closure member150 is secured or released with a tracked fastener 156 that runs aroundthe remaining three sides of closure member 150. Although it need not beso, closure member 150 may conveniently have a footprint thatcorresponds to the footprint of first compartment wall structure 124 (or126). When soft-sided container structure 120 is closed, as seen in FIG.5a , each of closure members 150 gives access to the inside of arespective one of first and second compartment wall structures 124 and126. Additionally, when soft-sided container assembly 120 is in thelaid-open position of FIG. 5c , it can be laid on its back, as in FIG.5d , and closure members can be moved from their closed position in FIG.5d to their open position seen in FIG. 5e . As such, closure members 150are operable to move between open and closed positions to govern accessto internal chambers 162 and 164 of wall structures 124 and 126respectively.

First and second compartment wall structures 124 and 126 do not need tobe the same, but it is convenient that they be the same, such that adescription of one is a description of the other. First compartment wallstructure 124 has a base wall 158 and an upstanding sidewall 160 thatextends about the edges of base wall 158. In some instances, base wall158 may be, or may include, a stiffened panel. Base wall 158 may be madeof a continuous membrane, and may be made of a fabric, such as a wovenfabric. Upstanding sidewall 160 may be a continuous membrane or web, asshown in the context of first compartment wall structure 124 in FIG. 4which may employ a woven fabric, for example. Alternatively, upstandingsidewall member 160 may be made of a breathable fabric, or a mesh, asshown in the context of second compartment wall structure 126 as shownin FIG. 4. Further, either one or both of first and second compartmentwall structures could be a continuous web or cloth; or, alternatively,either one or both could be a mesh so that the compartment can breathe.As may be noted, when first and second compartment wall structures 124,126 are folded toward each other as in moving from the configuration ofFIG. 5c to the configuration of FIG. 5b , their respective bottom panels158 are brought into contact against each other. This is planar, orsubstantially planar, contact.

Upstanding sidewall 160 has a first margin attached to base wall 158.Upstanding sidewall 160 has an upper margin that is attached to theunderside of panel 150. Upper margin 166 is hingedly attached along oneedge and releasably connected along the other three edges. Thereleasable connection may be in the form of a tracked fastener,identified as zipper 168. By undoing zipper 168, first compartment wallstructure 124 can pivot downward relative to panel 134, to the positionseen in FIG. 4. In the case of first compartment wall structure 124hinge 170 is along the vertex nearest to hinge 140. In the case ofsecond compartment wall structure 126, hinge 172 is along the margin ofrespective closure panel 150 that is most distant from hinge 140. Theeffect of hinging first and second compartment wall structures 124 and126 on the opposite sides results in the two compartments rotating inthe same direction to be arrayed one above the other.

The pivoting motion of first and second compartment wall structures 124and 126 is limited by suspension 130. That is, to hold wall structures124 and 126 at an orientation in which they can be suitably used asshelves, there is a need for a retainer or support for the distalportions of wall structure that stand away from hinge 170 an hinge 172,as may be. When held as shelves, bottom wall panels 158 need not beperfectly horizontal, and need not be at the same angle relative tohorizontal. They could be angled, in a manner similar to inclined storedisplay rack tiers. One could be angled and one could be horizontal, andso on. It is, however, convenient that, when opened and hanging as inFIG. 4 the shelves be oriented to extend horizontally and parallel toeach other.

To that end, suspension 130 includes first and second suspension membersin the form of first and second hanging straps 174, 176 each of whichhas a releasable clip 178 to permit mounting to a closet clothes' hangerrod 94. Alternatively, hooks 82 could be attached to straps 174, 176 andused as described above. Although they could be mounted externally, asshown in FIG. 5d , in the alternate arrangement shown in FIG. 4 hangingstraps 174, 176 have their roots mounted to the inside of panel 134,near the margin most distant from hinge 140. As such straps 174, 176 arecontained within soft-sided container 120 when it is closed and in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 5 a.

Additionally, suspension 130 includes a pair of first and second firstupper compartment straps identified as upper stays 180, 182 that arespace apart to opposed corners of the front wall, and that haverespective first ends sewn inside the lip of the lid defined by panel150 of first compartment wall structure 124, and second ends that aresewn inside the upper margin of sidewall 160 of wall structure 124. Thelength of stays 180, 182 is such that the center of lift of straps 174,176 passes through the same vertical plane as the center of gravity ofwall structure 124, which is intended to be perpendicular to base wall158. In this configuration, panel 150 and stays 180, 182 are oriented atroughly equal and opposite angles relative to the vertical plane.

Also, additionally, suspension 130 includes first and second lowercompartment straps identified as lower stays 184, 186. They are spacedapart to the front outside corners of wall structure 124 and 126. Theupper ends of lower stay 184, 186 are attached to first compartment wallstructure 124. The lower ends of lower stays 184, 186 are attached tosecond compartment wall structure 126. The attachments can be to therespective front or foremost portions of upstanding sidewalls 160 ofcompartment wall structures 124 and 126, typically by sewing in doublerows of double stiches. The length of lower stays 184, 186 is such thatlower panel, i.e., base wall 158 of lower compartment wall structure 126hangs at the selected orientation relative to upper compartment wallstructure 124, e.g., parallel thereto, as seen in in the side elevationview of FIG. 7b . The corresponding rear support is provided by panel136 which co-operates with lower stays 184, 186 to provide staticallydeterminate support the lower shelf.

In normal use the user hangs soft-sided container assembly 120 in theexpanded configuration as seen in FIGS. 4, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d and 7 e. Theshelves or receptacles defined by the first and second compartment wallstructures 124, 126 are emptied. Container assembly 120 is taken off thecloset rod and laid on a flat surface with access flaps 150 upward asshown in FIG. 5e . The folding former 190 is used as a form or frameupon which to fold clothing, and to provide a minimal stiffness andshape. It is then installed in chamber 162 or 164 as suitable. Oncechambers 162 and 164 have been filled as required, access openings 150are closed as in FIGS. 5d and 5c , and first and second wall structuresare folded toward each other as in FIGS. 5b and 6d . The tracked closure142 is then drawn around the periphery of the structure and the contentsof chamber 162, 164 are compressed. Soft-sided container assembly 120can then be hung in a wardrobe, e.g., aboard an aircraft or in storage;or carried by hand using handle 128.

In summary, there is a soft-sided container 120. It has a soft-sidedcontainment envelope in the form of main body 122 that is defined by theco-operation of first panel 134 and second panel 136 such that a chamberis formed therewithin. First panel 134 is co-operable with second panel136. They are movable between an open position and a closed positionrelative to each other. There is a first receptacle, namely firstcompartment wall structure 124 that is movably mounted to first panel134. There is a second receptacle, namely second compartment wallstructure 126, movably mounted to second panel 136. First receptacle 124and second receptacle 126 are contained in the chamber formed betweenfirst panel 134 and second panel 136 when first panel 134 and secondpanel 136 are in the closed position. Suspension 130 is mounted to firstand second panels 134, 136 and to first and second receptacles 124, 126.Suspension 130 has a set of hangers by which to mount soft-sidedcontainer 124 to structure from which it can hang, such as closet hangerrod 94. When first and second panels 124, 126 are in the open position,suspension 130 supports first receptacle 134 and second receptacle 136in spaced apart tiered relationship to each other as shown in FIG. 5 a.

First and second panels 124, 126 are co-operable with a closure memberin the form of closure 142, which is a tracked closure, to compressfirst and second receptacles 134, 136 when first and second panels 124,126 are in the closed position. First and second receptacles includespreaders 90, operable to urge the respective receptacles to an expandedcondition.

First and second panels 124, 126 are joined by hinge 140. Hangers 80 ofsuspension 130 are mounted to first panel 124. First receptacle 134 ispivotally connected to first panel 124. Suspension 130 extends betweenfirst panel 124 and first receptacle 134 and limits pivotal movement ofreceptacle 134 relative to panel 124. Second receptacle 136 is pivotallyconnected to second panel 126. Suspension 130 extends between first andsecond receptacles 134, 136, and governs spacing therebetween when theyare in the hanging position of FIG. 4. When soft-sided container 120 isin the open positon and hangers 90 have been hung up, e.g., on rod 94,first receptacle 124 and second receptacle 126 define shelves, one abovethe other. In that example they are horizontal and their spacing isparallel.

First panel 134 has a distal margin distant from hinge 142. The hangersinclude first and second hangers 90 that are spaced apart and mounted tothe distal margin of first panel 134. First receptacle 124 is pivotallyconnected to first panel 134 adjacent to hinge 140, and has a portiondistant from hinge 140. Second receptacle 126 is pivotally connected tosecond panel 136 at a location of second panel 136 distant from hinge140. Second receptacle 126 has a portion distant from second panel 136when second receptacle 126 has pivoted away from second panel 136.Suspension 130 includes first and second portions, namely upper staystrap stays 180, 182 that are spaced apart from each other. The firstand second members, stays 180, 182 extend from the distal margin offirst panel 134 to the portion of first receptacle 124 distant fromhinge 140. Suspension 130 includes third and fourth portions in the formof lower stays 184, 186, that are likewise spaced apart from each other.Stays 184, 186 extend from the distal margin of first receptacle 134 tothe distal portion of second receptacle 136. Either one or both of firstand second receptacles 134, 136 has a releasable securement in the formof zipper 168 by which it is secured in a closed position thereofrelative to the respective panel, be it 134 or 136 to which it ismounted. One or both of panels 134, 136 has a door therein, namelyclosure member 150, that is movable between closed and open positions toyield access to the respective receptacle.

Referring to the general style of container 20 of FIGS. 1a to 3 b, insome instances soft-sided hanging containers may be provided, whetherobtained individually or as a set of nesting containers that fitone-within-another in a nested fashion when not in use. Moreover, it maybe that in some instances it may be desired to hang successivecontainers more closely together or less closely together. Furtherstill, in some instances it may be found that the quantity or weight ofthe objects to be placed in one or another of the hanging shelves may besubstantial.

In FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b there is a container 220 that has substantiallythe same features as those of the family of container 20 previouslydescribed. However, it may be that container 220 has an anchor point, orset of anchor points, or retainers 222 that are secured to the lowermargin of the container body, or at a lower location on the containerbody, than the hard-eyes, rings, anchors or loops that define retainers98 described above. Anchor points, or retainers, 222 may be used inplace of anchor points or retainers 98, or, alternatively, as shown, maybe provided in addition to anchor points or retainers 98 to give theuser a choice of first and second hanging heights (shorter or longer, asmay be) of one container relative to the other. This provision of alower, or bottom margin mounted anchor point may also facilitate the useof a smaller container 220 under a larger sized version as the suspendedneed not extend the full depth of the side-wall of the upper container.Rather the hanging suspension nay be splayed outwardly and upwardly fromthe smaller to the larger.

In container 220, the bottom margin of the upstanding sidewall may bereinforced by a form-holding rod 224, similar to, or the same as,resilient rod 92, that acts as a spreader to aid container 222 inholding its shape. In the example, form-holding rod 224 runsperipherally about the lower margin of wall 26 and is sewn into thatmargin. It could be sewn into side wall 26 at a different heightintermediate the upper and lower margins of side wall 26. Moreover,where retainers 222 are mounted to the bottom margin of the sidewall, itmay be that the side wall 26 may also have a reinforcement, orreinforcements 226. Reinforcements 226 may have the form or bands orwebs or straps 228 that have a first end secured to the upper margin ofwall 26 and a second end secured to the lower margin of wall 26. Whencontainer 220 is deployed in the hanging configuration, the verticalload of the lower suspended container that might normally be carried inside wall 26, tending to stretch it, may instead, or additionally, tendto be carried in reinforcements 226 as a stiffer, less compliant member.

This can be seen in the context of the inverted V-shaped suspensionstraps 84 of suspension 70, which are intended to spread the load of theupper tray. In use, straps 84 are in tension. The horizontal reaction isprovided by rod 92, which is in compression between the lower ends ofstraps 86 and 88. Similarly, where retainers 222 are placed along thelower edge of sidewall 26, the center of the bottom margin at the bottommay want to fold. To that end reinforcements 226 may be in the form of aV of first and second straps 230 and 232 whose upper ends are spreadapart and whose lower ends terminate at, or in relatively closeproximity to retainers 222. As shown, the upper ends of straps 230, 232are secured at the same locations as the lower ends of straps 86, 88,respectively, and fastened with and to them, and with rod 92. As before,vertical loading of straps 230, 232 tends to put those straps (and alsostraps 86, 88) in tension, and rod 92 into local compression between thefastening points. The bottom ends 234 of straps 86, 88 may extend and besewn into side wall 26 to reach the bottom margin of side wall 26.Extended bottom ends 234 may be sewn into the radiused corners, asshown.

In the example of FIGS. 8a and 8b , the soft-sided container has a forcetransfer interface at its upper margin (as where straps 86, 88 receiveloading at the upper margin of side wall 26), and a force transferinterface at its lower margin (as where straps 230, 232 receive theirloading from retainers 222). There is a stiffener, or reinforcement incompression as a strut between the roots of the upper and lowerdiagonally extending straps. There may be a choice of suspension heightsas between upper and lower retainers 98 and 222.

FIG. 8c shows a container 240 in which compressor 60 is not employed,but that may use the hanging suspension of container 20 or container220, as may be. In such instance, side wall 26 of container 240 maycollapse when container 240 is empty. Container 240 may have one or moreperipheral stiffeners such as rods 92 or 226, and may have upper andlower retainers 98, or may have more than first and second retainers.The upper and lower containers may have different sizes, and one or moremay have one or more breathable mesh sides as described above.

In FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c , the load path of the lower container is carriedthrough the load path of the upper container. This may impose unintendedloads on side walls 26, to which end reinforcements 228 as describedabove may be employed. Another approach, as seen in FIG. 8d , is toprovide a separate load path for the depending load, e.g., of the secondcontainer to the suspending element, e.g., hook 82. The separate loadpath may then not necessarily impose loads on side wall 26 of the uppercontainer. To that end, container 250 has a separate load path member,or suspension member, which may have the form of a band or strap 252that extends between hook 82 and retainer 222, without the load pathpassing through the intermediate structure of diagonal braces as in FIG.8a . The lower portion 254 of strap 252. Thus the depending containercan be supported without a load being imposed in diagonal straps 86, 88,or side wall 26. In general, in the interest of avoidance of redundantexplanation, the examples of FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d may have amix-and-match combination of the features of the examples of FIGS. 1a to3b as may be suitable, without need to description of all possiblevariations, permutations and combinations of the various featuresdescribed herein.

The principles of the present invention are not limited to thesespecific examples which are given by way of illustration. It is possibleto make other embodiments that employ the principles of the inventionand that fall within its spirit and scope of the invention. Sincechanges in and or additions to the above-described embodiments may bemade without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of theinvention, the invention is not to be limited to those details, but onlyby a purposive reading of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A soft-sided container comprising: a soft-sided containmentenvelope having a first member, a second member, and a peripheralsidewall extending between the first member and the second member; saidfirst member, second member and peripheral sidewall co-operating todefine an internal chamber into which to introduce objects; saidsoft-sided containment envelope including a spreader; said first memberincluding a wall movable between a closed position and an open positionto govern access to said chamber; a first hanger and a second hanger,said first hanger and said second hanger being mounted to saidsoft-sided containment envelope; said first and second hangers beingopposed on opposite sides of said chamber; and said first and secondhangers being movable between respective stored and deployed positions;in said respective deployed positions said first and second hangersbeing co-operable to suspend said soft-sided containment envelope in ahanging position; and said soft-sided-containment envelope having atleast a first anchor point and a second anchor point at which removablyto mount corresponding first and second hangers of a second suchsoft-sided container to form a cascade of said soft-sided containers. 2.The soft-sided container of claim 1, wherein said peripheral sidewallhas an upper margin and a lower margin, and said spreader is a stiffenermounted to said upper margin of said peripheral wall.
 3. The soft-sidedcontainer of claim 2, wherein said spreader is a frame mounted insidesaid sidewall and extending about said upper margin, and said spreaderincludes a reinforcement rod extending about said periphery.
 4. Thesoft-sided container of claim 1, wherein the first and second anchorpoints are mounted to a lower margin of the soft-sided container, andthose anchor points are reinforced to carry vertical load transmittedtherethrough from an object suspended therefrom.
 5. The soft-sidedcontainer of claim 2, wherein said container is rectangular in planview; said peripheral side wall has a pair of first and second longsides and a pair of first and second short sides corresponding to saidrectangular container in plan view; and said first and second hangersare mounted to said first and second short sides of said peripheralsidewall.
 6. The soft-sided container of claim 1, wherein at least oneof said first and second hangers include a splayed connection to saidperipheral sidewall.
 7. At least a first and a second soft-sidedcontainer of claim 1 combined as a set, the second soft-sided containerbeing at least one of (a) hangable from the first soft-sided container;and (b) nestable within said first soft-sided container.
 8. Thesoft-sided container of claim 1, wherein said first and second anchorpoints have an independent load path to said first and second hangersindependent of said peripheral sidewall.
 9. The soft-sided container ofclaim 1, wherein said container is movable between a first mode and asecond mode, said first mode being an expanded mode and said second modebeing a contracted mode.
 10. The soft-sided container of claim 9,wherein said peripheral sidewall is axially collapsible.
 11. The softsided-insulated container of claim 10, wherein said peripheral sidewallhas a tracked fastener, said tracked fastener extends peripherally aboutsaid sidewall.
 12. The soft sided-insulated container of claim 11,wherein said tracked fastener is movable from a first position in whichsaid peripheral sidewall is axially fore-shortened, to a second positionin which said peripheral sidewall is axially expanded.
 13. Thesoft-sided container of claim 1, wherein at least one of: (a) saidperipheral sidewall has an upper margin and a lower margin, and saidspreader is a stiffener mounted to said upper margin of said peripheralwall; and said spreader includes a reinforcement rod extending aboutsaid periphery; (b) said container is rectangular in plan view; saidperipheral side wall has a pair of first and second long sides and apair of first and second short sides corresponding to said rectangularcontainer in plan view; and said first and second hangers are mounted tosaid first and second short sides of said peripheral sidewall; (c) atleast one of said first and second hangers include a splayed connectionto said peripheral sidewall; and (d) said container is movable between afirst mode and a second mode, said first mode being an expanded mode andsaid second mode being a contracted mode; said peripheral sidewall isaxially collapsible; said peripheral sidewall has a tracked fastenerthat extends peripherally about said sidewall; and that is movable froma first position in which said peripheral sidewall is axiallyfore-shortened, to a second position in which said peripheral sidewallis axially expanded.
 14. A soft-sided container, comprising: asoft-sided containment envelope having a first panel and a second panel,said first panel being co-operable with said second panel, and beingmovable between an open position and a closed position relative to eachother; a first receptacle movably mounted to said first panel; a secondreceptacle movably mounted to said second panel; said first receptacleand said second receptacle being contained between said first panel andsaid second panel when said first panel and said second panel are insaid closed position; a suspension, said suspension being mounted tosaid first and second panels and to said first and second receptacles;said suspension including a set of hangers by which to mount saidsoft-sided container to structure from which it can hang; and when saidfirst and second panels are in said open position, said suspensionsupporting said first receptacle and said second receptacle in spacedapart tiered relationship to each other.
 15. The soft-sided container ofclaim 14, wherein said first and second panels are co-operable with aclosure member to compress said first and second receptacles when saidfirst and second panels are in said closed position.
 16. The soft-sidedcontainer of claim 14, wherein at least one of said first and secondreceptacles includes a spreader operable to urge said respectivereceptacle to an expanded condition.
 17. The soft-sided container ofclaim 14, wherein: said first panel and said second panel are joined bya hinge; said hangers of said suspension are mounted to said firstpanel; said first receptacle is pivotally connected to said first panel;said suspension extends between said first panel and said firstreceptacle, and limits pivotal movement of said first receptaclerelative to said first panel; said second receptacle is pivotallyconnected to said second panel; said suspension extends between saidfirst receptacle and said second receptacle, and governs spacing betweensaid first and second receptacles; and when said container is in saidopen positon and said hangers have been hung up, said first receptacleand said second receptacle define shelves, one above the other.
 18. Thesoft-sided container of claim 17, wherein: said first panel has a distalmargin distant from said hinge; said hangers include a first hanger anda second hanger, said first and second hangers being mounted to saiddistal margin of said first panel; said first receptacle is pivotallyconnected to said first panel adjacent to said hinge, and has a portiondistant from said hinge; said second receptacle is pivotally connectedto said second panel at a location of said second panel distant fromsaid hinge; said second receptacle has a portion distant from saidsecond panel when said second receptacle has pivoted away from saidsecond panel; said suspension includes first and second portions, saidfirst and second portions being spaced apart from each other; said firstand second members of said suspension are straps that extend from saiddistal margin of said first panel to said portion of said firstreceptacle distant from said hinge; said suspension includes third andfourth portions, said third and fourth portions being spaced apart fromeach other; said third and fourth portions are straps that extend fromsaid distal margin of said first receptacle to said distal portion ofsaid second receptacle.
 19. The soft-sided container of claim 14,wherein at least one of said first and second receptacles has areleasable securement by which said at least one of said first andsecond receptacles is secured in a closed position thereof relative tothe one of aid first and second panels to which said at least one ofsaid first and second receptacles is mounted.
 20. The soft-sidedcontainer of claim 14, wherein at least one of said first and secondpanels has a door therein, said door being movable between closed andopen positions to yield access to a respective one of said first andsecond receptacles that is mounted to that one of said first and secondpanels respectively.